The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-05
THE RIVAL LOVERS.
Story of q Thrilling Adventure on a
House-Top.

The center of the main roof of the
Ocean House is capped by an octago-
nal cupola or lantern. Inside tits
large room, with eight windows ex-
tending from floor to ceiling. You ac-
company the car of the elevator as far
as it goes in its upward journey, and
then there are several precipiious
flights of stairs to be climbed. Once
up, and you are we'll repaid for your
trouble by the glorious outlook over
land and sea, All Newport liea at
your feet.
In old times the cupola was favor
lite resort for newly-married couples.
They used to get themselves OFT of
breath scaling the steep stairs, and
then they would sit by the windows
gazing forth, incoming and spooning
by the hour.
The other evening trip was made
to the cupola to ascertain if possible
the whereabouts Of the becal lined
yachts that were sailing or drifting for
the Citizens cup. The octagonal room
was deserted save by the presence of a
middle-aged man of powerful proper
,ions, who sat in cane-chair gazing
toward the sea, occasionally refresh
ing his visual powers by a peek
through binocular glass. Converse
ton arose over the probabilities of the
termination of the race. and one topic
led to another until the stranger OBJ
served:
"This is my first visit to Newport in
many years. l came here to the cupola
as soon after my arrival as possible,
for the place possesses strange Snter-
est to me-"
There is nothing wildly fascinating
about the bare, plastered, cobwebby
octagon, and the speakers manner
implied that the varied landscape did
not attract him. He was, therefore,
asked what was the particular astrac-
ton that gave rise to his desire for an
Immediate visit
II saw something up here that would
make your hair stand" he replied.
ut was my first visit to the town, and
Ipassed several weeks at this hotel.
found out the cupola, and l enjoyed
climbing up-there was no elevator
then-to look off into the moonlight
while | smoked.
"One night had an adventure
which l will never forget. Neither
would you if you had taken part in it
Do you see that ladderp' he exclaimed
pointing to an unpalnted stair to ;
trap door in the roof used to req Oh the
halyards of the flagstaff on the top o.
the cupola. "Well, something pos
sessed me to climb up there and lool
off the top of the lantern. The nigh
was close and sultry, and all of these
windows were open, with nothing te
prevent any one from walking directly
out unless they had care. Observe
what descent there is! The long
steep roof has nothing on it to proven
one from sliding with terrible speed tc
the edge, and then the fall to tile eartf
would be at least eighty feet. J.
Il went up to the trap-door ant
found it fastened. Returning slowly
down the ladder, and pausing:whel
down little way to take a few Whit:
of my cigar, saw something in white
coming up the flight of stairs leading
to the cupola from the attic stofy be
low. The time was past midnight
and the moon was obscured by clouds
so that every thing was indistinct. bu
Twas enabled to determine that tn
white object was woman, and shat
had often seen her face about the hous
during my stay. She moved noiseless
ly along and approached enc .,of tn
open windows and stood leaning he
head against the frame on the side.
81 felt myself in an awkward posi-
ton. l did not like to make
noise for fear 1 might startie the youn!
lady, and the thought flashed :acros
my mind that she would he terribl
frightened and, perhaps, fall out OF tn
window. So concluded to keep quie
until she moved away from the danger
Gus spot before speaking to apprise he
of my presence and going down. leav
ing her in full possession Of the cupols
She was in full evening dress of whit
muslin, or something of the kind, an
there were some disarranged flower
in her light hair. She was e.
tremely delicate, of the pal
blonde type with littl
red spot on either cheek, but she ha
been very gay during her stay at tn
hotel, and the men about the hous
called her the prettiest girl of the SCI
SON. There were two young men
CONSTANT attendance on her. One W.
from the South somewhere, and til
yarn in circulation was tn at he We
engaged to her. The other admire
was good-looking fellow from Ne
York, believe.
The girl remained by the windo
but few minutes when heard foo